Page 24 of Never Fall Again
“Either we’ve had a massive security breach or someone with permission to be on-site is responsible. Given what I know of our security, I’m leaning toward it being either a guest or an employee.”
Gray flipped the page on his legal pad. “There’s also the matter of the note.” He held up a photocopy of the message. “We have no context for this beyond that it’s tied to the fire.”
The discussion that followed was vigorous but never heated. Landry stayed silent. She and Bronwyn had discussed her fears about someone coming after her. But they’d both agreed therewas no evidence to support the idea and it was just her imagination running wild.
Despite that, she planned to share her concerns with Gray. He should have the full picture as he investigated.
An hour later, everyone stood and filed out of the conference room. The fire chief, officer, Cal, and Bronwyn had been given specific assignments. Landry’s part was to provide an estimate for the losses, both financial and regarding how long it would take her to replace the inventory.
“Gray, could I have a word?” Landry stopped Gray before he left the room.
“Of course. Come to my office.”
She followed him, and it wasn’t until she took a seat that she realized Maisy had come with her.
Gray chuckled. “I sure hope you like dogs, because Maisy has decided you’re hers to protect.”
“I do.” She stretched a hand down to rub Maisy’s head. “I don’t know if it’s anything or not, but I thought you should know. I left Arizona under a cloud. My husband’s family hates me. They hated me before my husband’s death, and my decision to leave Arizona cemented it for them. I’ve spent the last three years trying to keep a low profile and avoid any attention, and I’m fairly certain they don’t know where I am.”
“Or where Eliza is.” Gray’s observation cut to the real issue.
“Dylan’s family despised me, but they loved Eliza. I was afraid for a long time that they might try to take her from me.”
“You don’t think so anymore?”
“I think they would if they could. But I’m not alone. I have friends. A business. Any attempt to portray me as unfit or unable to care for Eliza would fail.” She held her hands together to keep them from shaking. “And despite their treatment of me, I can’t believe they would stoop to this kind of violence.”
“What are their names?” Gray pulled out his pen and wrote down Dylan’s family’s information. Everything she could think of. Names, addresses, even phone numbers.
“I don’t want this to be public. I don’t care for myself, but for Eliza—”
“It’ll go no further. I won’t assign anything to my officers. Unless”—Gray fixed her with a dark look—“I uncover information that makes me suspect his family is involved. If that happens, I’ll warn you before I share it. I appreciate your desire for privacy, but nothing good can come from keeping this under wraps only to find out too late that youwerein danger.”
“I agree. Thank you, Gray. I’ll get out of your hair.” If she didn’t get out soon, she’d start rambling. What was it about cops that made honest citizens feel guilty?
“Landry?” Gray’s voice stopped her before she could get away.
“Yes?”
“Don’t hesitate to call me if you see or hear anything suspicious. Call me if you even get a weird feeling. If you don’t want to call me, call Cal. If you’re alone, get somewhere with people.”
Landry’s mouth went dry. She had to try to swallow twice before she managed it. “You’re kind of scaring me.”
“I’m not sorry.” Gray looked out his window, and Landry got the feeling he wasn’t seeing the same thing she was. When he turned back to her, his face was troubled. “I’d rather you call me twenty times with false alarms than second-guess yourself and not call me when you need to.”
“Okay.”
“Promise me, Landry.”
“I promise.”
Eight
The next two weeks were exhausting for Landry on every level. Even though she was back in her own bed, sleep eluded her. And when she did sleep, her dreams were unspecific but dark and frightening.
Her hands, neck, shoulders, and arms ached. Her fingers were stiff. She’d spent the first week after the fire at her wheel, throwing as many bowls, vases, and pumpkins as she could. The pumpkins were a seasonal offering, and all but three had been on display in Favors. They were a favorite of current and former guests of The Haven, and she had orders to fill. They were also one of her more lucrative items, so she couldn’t afford to wait until next season. Especially with the way things were proceeding with her new home.
Despite the turmoil and chaos, she’d had two meetings with the architect and three meetings—two in person, one over the phone—with Cal Shaw. The plans weren’t finalized, but the architect had given Cal a rough estimate for the measurements of the footprint of the house she’d designed.